Amritsars Sham Lal promotes Gandhian values

Inspired by the principles, beliefs and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, a resident of Amritsar, Sham Lal, is promoting Gandhian values in his own unique style.Sham, who is popularly known as Sham Lal Gandhiwadhi, prefers to dress up like Gandhi and spend his entire day in slum areas educating people about Gandhis teachings.

By Ravinder Singh Robin

Amritsar, Aug 8 : Inspired by the principles, beliefs and philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, a resident of Amritsar, Sham Lal, is promoting Gandhian values in his own unique style.Sham, who is popularly known as "Sham Lal Gandhiwadhi", prefers to dress up like Gandhi and spend his entire day in slum areas educating people about Gandhi's teachings.

At 25, Sham is a skilled power loom worker and uses an old bicycle to commute.Sham, lives in a joint family of six brothers and sisters, is illiterate, but highly inspired by films on Gandhi, especially Anupam Kher's film "Maine Gandhi ko Nahi Mara" and Sanjay Dutt's "Lage Raho Munnabhai".

He says his illiteracy has not come in the way of his desire to learn about Gandhi. He believes Gandhism is the best way to spread peace, but adds that it is unfortunate that the new generation does not know much about Gandhi's teachings.

Gandhism, he says, can never be outdated.

Sham has appealed to the Central Government to establish a Centre in Amritsar, where children can be educated about the country's great heroes, and about the Constitution. Such institutions should preach the value of non-violence and mould people into good human beings.While emphasising the eternal spirit of Gandhism, Sham says he sometimes faces sharp comments from people, but he politely reacts to them. "I happily accept their reactions," he adds. Several people have supported his efforts and appreciated his spirit.

Jasvir Singh, a neighbour of Sham said: "There are very few people who devote their life for the people, and he is one of them. I have hardly seen such determination and self discipline.""We should help such persons who are trying to revive the Gandhian way of life in the country," said Balkar Singh, another supporter. Sham wants to congratulate President Pratibha Patil on becoming India's first female Head of the State, and plans to reach New Delhi on August 20 for the purpose. He says he will walk down to Rashtrapati Bhawan from the Delhi Railway Station.

ANI